Incubator.



1.]. LE DUC- INCUBATOR.

APPLICATION FILEP AUG.27, 1917.

1 $67,426, I Patented May 28, 1918 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Witnesses am, zrmw 1.]. LE DUC.

INCUBATOR.

APPLICATION FlLED AUG.27| I917- Patented May 28, 1918'.

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JOHN J. LE DUC, OF MANKATO, MINNESOTA.

INCUBATOR.

Specification of Letters iatent.

Patented May 28, 1918.

Application filed August 27, 1917. Serial No. 188,414.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. Ln DUo, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mankato, in the county of Blue Earth and State of Minnesota,have invented a new and useful Incubator, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention appertains to incubators, and aims to provide ahatching and brooding machine which will, in a mechanical way, imitatenatures method of hatching eggs, to produce more healthy and perfectchicks, and to eliminate the many disadvantages and objectionablefeatures of prevailing types of incubators.

The main and primary object of the invention is the provision of anincubator (useful also as a brooder) provided with a hatcher suppliedwith heat by means of heated fluid or other medium, and adapted tocontact directly with the eggs, in the manner of nature, whereby toapply the proper temperature directly to the upper portions of the eggs,and thus closely imitate the natural method of hatching.

Among the advantages of the present incubator over those now prevalent,may be mentioned the facts that the present construction eliminates thepresence of cold corners, dispenses with the use of double walls,insulation, dead air spaces, etc., requires no extra nursery. has no eggtray or drawer to slide in and out which has proven objectionable,necessitates no moisture pan or humidifier, eliminates obnoxious gasfumes in the egg chamber, requires less heat and fuel than orc inaryincubators, and effectively serves the purpose of a brooder after theeggs are hatched to comfort and quiet the chicks and prevent theprostration thereof by overheat or the chilling thereof by a cold draftas when the doors of ordinary incubators are opened. Other advantages ofthe present incubator will appear as the construction thereof is betterunderstood.

The invention has for a further object, the provision of an incubator ofthe character indicated possessing novel features of construction,whereby to enhance the utility and efliciency thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the incubator, portions being shoWn insection.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the hatcher.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the egg tray or pan, showing the curtain atone side thereof.

Fig. 4 is a bottom vieW of the hatcher with the diaphragm removed.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

The incubator is conveniently supported by a single pedestal or standard1 having a suitable foot or base 2 for attachment to the floor, and thispedestal provides a single leg, making it easy to clean the floor aroundthe incubator. The pedestal has an X-fitting 3 disposed therein betweenits ends, and has attached to its upper end a T-fitting 4c. The upperend of the pedestal 1 is closed, and a horizontal pipe or arm 5 isattached at one end to the fitting 4t and has attached to its free end aT-fitting 6 from which the hatcher 7 is suspended.

The hatcher 7 is of circular or other suitable form, and embodies a hood8 of sheet metal or other suitable material and a lower diaphragm 9of'soft pliant rubber or equivalent material which has its marginalportion upturned and fitting the grooved portion of the depending flangeor apron of the hood 8 and clamped tightly thereto by a ring or hoop 10,the ends of which are drawn toward one another by a bolt 11. In order toprevent the central portion of the diaphragm from dropping too low,upstanding hangers 12 are vulcanized or otherwise attached to thediaphragm and have loops at their upper ends engaging a ring 13 betweenthe dia phragm and top of the hood, and said ring .is in turn suspendedfrom depending hangers 14 soldered or otherwise attached to the top ofthe hood. The hangers have loops or eyes loosely engaging the ring 13,whereby the diaphragm is free to yield while suspended by the hangers,in order that the diaphragm can lay snugly over the upper portions ofthe eggs to conform to the curvature thereof. The top of the hood 8 hasa central upstanding thermostat housing 15 connected centrally by anipple 16 with the fitting 6, and said housing incloses a suitablethermostat 17 supported by a bridge bar 18 secured to the top of thehood and extending underneath the housing 15. The thermostat is used foraccurately controlling the temperature, as hereinafter will more fullyappear.

The top of the hood 8 has an outstanding neck 20 into which a cork 21 isfitted, and an ordinary thermometer 22 is slipped downwardly through thecork 21 so that its bulb is within the chamber of the hatcher, thusindicating the temperature of the fluid accurately and in a simplemanner. The thermometer 22 can be protected by a guard 23 of anysuitable construction mounted on the hood 8.

As illustrated, the hatcher is supplied with heated water as the heatingmedium, although any other suitable heated fluid or medium can besupplied to the hatcher. When the water circulating and heating plant isemployed, there is provided an upstanding annular boiler 24 connectednear its upper end by a nipple 25 with the fitting 4,

so that the warm water flows through said fitting 4, pipe 5, fitting 6and nipple 16 into the hatcher centrally thereof'to flow radially in alldirections over the diaphragm 9. The

hood 8 is provided between its flange and top across the corner thereofwith an inclined annular partition 19 having the apertures 19 near itslower edge, whereby the water which flows radially over the diaphragm 9will flow. practically uniformly in all directions to the apertures 19and thence into the annular return space defined by the partition 19.The boiler 24 has an inlet nipple 26 near its lower end connected by ahose or flexible tubing 27, which extends through the fitting 3, toanelbow 28 attached to an outlet nipple 28 attached in turn to the flangeof the hood 8 to communicate with the annular return space ofthehatcher, for the return of the water from the hatcher through thehose 27 into the boiler, thus establishing the circuit for the syphonflow of the water, the hot water in the boiler rising to flow by way ofthe pipe 5 downwardly into the hatcher, and the cooler water at theperiphery of the hatcher within the annular return space flowingvdownwardly through the hose 27 back into the boiler. The boiler isprovided with an expansion tank 29 to keep the water circulating conduitfull of water, and the boiler has a drain cook 29 near its lower end foremptying the boiler when desired.

The means for furnishing heat to the boiler include a flue 30 centrallywithin the boiler and spaced from the inner wall thereof, and an oillamp 31 or other suitable heaterdisposed below the boiler. This lamp 31is mounted on a standard 32 supported by a bracket 33 having a clamp 34of any suitable construction embracing the pedestal 1, and the brackethas a suitable clamp 35 embracing the standard 32. When the clamp 35 isloosened, the lamp 31 can be readily lowered for filling it with oil orother fuel, after which the lamp can be raised into position forproperly heating the boiler.

The heating of the water is controlled by a damper 36 at the upper endof the flue 30 and carried by the lever 37 fulcrumed, as at 38, near theupper end of an upstanding pipe 39 attached to the fitting 6. A cap 40is engaged upon the upper end of the pipe 39 and a rod or stem 41 isslidable through said cap, its upper end engaging the lever 37 and itslower end resting upon the thermostat 17. The movement of the damper 36is, therefore, controlled by the thermostat, to thereby regulate theheating of the water to maintain a constant desired temperature in thehatcher. When the water cools slightly in passing into the hatcher, thecon traction of the thermostat permits the rod 41 to move downwardly,thereby letting the damper 36 move downwardly to shut oft the flow ofthe products'of combustion from the lamp through the flue 30, andconstraining said products of combustion to flow upwardly within theboiler in contact with its inner wall, thereby increasing the heattransmitted to the water, whereas when the temperature of the waterrises adjacent to the incubator, the rod 41 in being moved upwardly,will raise the damper 36, and permit the products of combustion to flowoutwardly through the flue 30, thereby removing some of the heat fromthe boiler, to lower the temperature of the water. In this manner'theaction of the thermostat serves to regulate the temperature ofv thewater flowing into the hatcher to keep the temperature of the waterconstant on the dia-. phragm 9.

The eggs to be hatched are laid within an egg tray or pan having thebottom 42 of wood or other suitable material secured on the upstandingterminal of a bracket 43 provided at its basal end with a T-fitting 44moving slidably upon the pedestal 1 This vertical sliding movement ofthe bracket 43 permits the egg tray to be raised and lowered. Said trayembodies the upstanding rim 45 of sheet metal or other suitable materialattached to the periphery of the bottom 42 and of a size to snuglyreceive the hatcher 7, it being preferable to slightly flare the rim ofthe tray. The tray is provided at one side of its rim with a suitabledoor 46 which can be opened for inspecting the eggs or regulatin thedraft into thetray below the hatcher. he rim of the tray also has anupwardly opening slot 47 adj acentto the pedestal for receiving theoutlet nipple 28 of the hatcher when'the tray is raised. As a means forclosing the slot 47 when the tray is lowered, to prevent draft throughsaid slot and to also prevent the chicks from sticking their headsthrough the slot 47 which might injure them, a pair of vertlcal rods 48have their terminals secured to the tray at opposite sides of the slot47, and coiled wire springs 49 are fitted on said rods, and haveattached thereto a flexible curta n 50. When free to do so, the springs49 in recoiling will stretch the curtain 50 and move it upwardly overthe slot 47 and when the tray is raised so that the nipple 28 moves intothe slot 47 said nipple will move the upper edge of the curtaindownwardly wlth the springs 49, but as the tray 1s lowered, the springswill in 7, ediately move the curtain upwardly.

The downwardly movement of the tray 1s limited by a stop collar 51secured adjustably on the pedestal by means of a set screw 52 or thelike, whereby the fitting 44 will rest on the collar when the tray islowered with the bracket 43. The upward movement of the tray is limitedby a nut 53 threaded upon the pedestal 1 for adjustment. By adjustingthe nut 53, the contact of the fitting 44 therewith will limit theupward movement of the tray, to bring the eggs properly into Contactwith the diaphragm 9 to press upwardly into the under surface of thehatcher. When a lighter contact is desired, the nut 53 is screweddownwardly, espe cially after hatching,-when more space underneath thehatcher within the tray is desired.

An arcuate blade 54 is secured to the lower edge of the fitting 44 atthat side thereof from which the bracket 43 projects, for holding thetray in raised position, it being noted that when the tray is raised,the weight of the tray and bracket 43 will tend to swing themdownwardly, thereby forcing the blade 54 tightly against the pedestal lto bite the same, and, therefore, bind the fitting 44 in place on thepedestal, and support the tray firmly in place. Then by raising the trayslightly, to relieve the pressure of the blade 54 against the pedestal,the tray can be lowered.

A dash pot is provided for retarding the upward and downward movement ofthe tray, to avoid injury to the eggs. The pedestal 1 is hollow toprovide a cylinder for the dash pot, in which a piston 55 slides. Thepiston has an upstanding stem 56 Within the pedestal provided at itsupper end with a finger 57 projecting radially through a vertical slot58 in the pedestal under the fitting 44. The stem 56 has a guide collar59 near its upper end working within the pedestal, and a hook 60 issecured to the fitting 44 and engages under the finger 57 to move thestem 56 vertically with the fitting 44 and bracket 43. The pedestal orcylinder 1 is provided at its lower end with a restricted vent aperture61 to provide for the restricted flow of air into and out of thepedestal as the piston 55 is raised and low ered, thus retarding thevertical movement of the tray and preventing it from being dropped orraised with a jar.

In use, the eggs are readily placed in the tray when the tray islowered, and when the tray is raised, the eggs are brought snuglyagainst the diaphragm 9, the weight of the tray causing the blade 54 toengage -'the pedestal 1 and hold the tray in place.

The hot water circulates through the hatcher 7 flowing radially from theupper central inlet thereof over the diaphragm, thereby heating thediaphragm and transmitting the heat directly to the upper portions ofthe eggs. Thus, by the pressure of the diaphragm 9 on the eggs and thedirect transmission of the heat by contact with the eggs, natures methodis closely imitated, for hatching the eggs in a most elficient manner.By this direct contact of the heating ele ment, a lower temperature canbe used than in ordinary incubators wherein the heat must penetrate anair space to reach the eggs, thus effecting a saving in uel with the useof the present arrangement. The eggs are heated uniformly, and should itbe desired to turn them at intervals, the tray can be lowered slightlyfor this purpose then returned into place. Attention can be given to theincubator while the operator is seated on the chair, including thereplenishing of the oil in the lamp 31. After the hatching, the door 46can be opened to admit air under the hatcher, and the tray can belowered slightly to comfortably accommodate the chicks therein under thehatcher. The diaphragm 9 in bearing on the backs of the chicks will keepthem warm and serve to comfort and quiet them. The thermostat is notsubject to sudden changes in temperature, and the thermometer willaccurately indicate the temperature and is not apt to be disturbed as inordinary incubators.

From the foregoing the advantages and attributes of the presentincubator will be obvious without further description being necessary.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is;

1. An incubator including a hatcher having a flexible diaphragm, meansfor supplying heat to the upper surface of the diaphragm, and spacedmeans above the diaphragm for yieldingly supporting the central portionof the diaphragm, said supporting means including a ring connected tothe top of the hatcher, and flexible hangers suspended from the ring andspaced apart, said hangers being connected at their lower ends to thediaphragm.

2. An incubator embodying a hatcher including a hood and a pliantdiaphragm attached to the flange thereof, the hood having a centralinlet and outlet, means around its periphery, fluid circulating meansconnected to said inlet and outlet means, and fluid heating means.

3. An incubator embodying a hatcher includingaihood'and a diaphragmattached to the'flange thereof, fluid circulating means connected to thehood for the flow of fluid therein over the diaphragm, and flexiblemeans connecting the central portion ofthe diaphragm and hood forsupporting the diaphragm, including a ring betweenthe diaphragm and hoodand :ha'ngersattached to the diaphragm and hood and engaging said ring,

An incubator embodyingahatcher having a lower pliant diaphragm, meansfor supplying heat to the diaphragm from above, and an egg tray belowthe hatcher, the hatcher and tray being movable vertically relatively,and the trayhaving an upstanding flared rim for snugly receiving thehatcher.

5. An incubator embodying a pedestal having an arm projecting to oneside, a hatchersuspended from said arm and having a lower pliantdiaphragm, means for supplying heat to said diaphragm, a bracket movablevertically on the pedestal, and an egg tray carried by the bracket belowthe hatcher.

6. An incubator embodying a pedestal having an arm, a hatcher suspendedfrom said arm having a lower pliant diaphragm, means for supplying heatto said diaphragm, a bracket slidable vertically on the pedestal, an eggtray carried by the bracket and having an upstanding flared rim' tosnugly receive the hatcher, means for limiting the vertical unovementofsaid bracket and for supporting it, and means for retarding themovementof the bracket.

7 An incubator embodying a hatcher, an egg tray having an upstanding rimto re- Gopies ot this patent may be obtained for ceive the hatcher,fluid circulating means connectedto thehatcher, "the rim :of the trayhaving a slot for receiving a portion of said means, and a springpressed curtain'carried by said tray and movable upwardly to close theslot when the hatcher and tray are separated. p

8. An incubator embodying a hatcherlha-ving a lower pliant diaphragm, aninlet and an outlet member at one side, a vertically movable egg traybelow the hatcher having an upstanding rim provided with a slot forreceiving said outlet'member, fluid circulating means connected to :theinlet and outlet members, and a spring pressed curtain-car ried by thetray to move upwardly and close said slot when the outlet member isremoved therefrom. a

9. An incubator embodying a hollow hatching having a lower pliantdiaphragm, an egg tray below the hatcher, fluid supplying meansconnected centrally to theztop of the hatcher, a thermostat centrallywithin the hatcher below said means, means for heating the fluid, andmeans controlling the heating means operatively connected with thethermostat.

10. An incubator embodying a h'atcher including a hood and a pliantdiaphragm secured to the flange thereof, an'egg'tray be low the hatcher,fluid supplying means connected centrally to the top of the hatcher, aheater for the fluid, means for controlling the heating of the fluid,and a thermostat centrally within the hood below the top thereofcontrolling the last mentioned means.

my own I have hereto affiXed my signature in the presence o twowitnesses.

JOHN J. LE .DUG.

Witnesses MILES PORTER, ETHEL KOENEN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of 'Batents,"Washington, 11. 0.

